From tropical destinations like Jamaica to unique snowbird escapes, Canadian seniors are travelling more than ever. But many don’t realize that provincial healthcare offers little to no coverage outside of their home province, and relying on credit card coverage isn’t enough. Comprehensive Emergency Medical Insurance is essential, especially when facing serious or unexpected illness abroad.
Take Sonya*, a 72-year-old retiree for example; she was relieved to have Emergency Medical coverage when a rare illness left her hospitalized during a vacation in Jamaica. Read on to learn more about Sonya’s experience.
Senior suffers from Guillain-Barré Syndrome while vacationing in Jamaica
Sonya was enjoying a dream vacation in Negril, Jamaica, when her health took a sudden turn for the worst. What started as mild fatigue in her legs quickly escalated, and within a day she couldn’t stand or walk, so she was rushed to hospital, where her condition worsened.
Doctors diagnosed her with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition that can cause weakness in the body and even temporary paralysis. Sonya soon struggled to swallow and speak, and she was hospitalized for 13 days under close care.
Given the seriousness of her illness, TuGo arranged for an air ambulance to bring Sonya safely back to her home province, where she could continue recovery closer to family support.
Travel Insurance saved Sonya over $500,000 in medical costs
Fortunately, Sonya and her husband never travel without TuGo’s Emergency Medical Insurance. This coverage ended up saving her over $500,000 in hospital, treatment, and air ambulance expenses, removing the financial burden from her plate during an already overwhelming and frightening time.
Want to learn about pre-existing medical conditions affect travel insurance coverage? Read Everything You Need to Know about Travel Insurance and Pre-existing Medical Condition Stability.
Remember, the “budget friendly” travel insurance usually isn’t enough, and you should always understand what your emergency medical travel insurance covers. For senior travellers, Sonya’s story is a powerful reminder: medical emergencies abroad can happen unexpectedly, even on a dream vacation, and even when you’re healthy. Comprehensive travel insurance helps protect your health, your finances, and your peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying your travels.
Safe travels,
Monique
* Based on actual claim with specific traveller details changed to protect privacy.